Steelers need to take NFL Combine with a grain of salt

The Steelers need to see the combine for what it is and what it represents

Honestly, I think this particular discussion could linger in perpetuity as there are innumerable opinions and positions about what the combine really is.  For me, the combine showcases the skills of draft-eligible NFL prospects.  Teams often become enamored with speed and size, for example, but fail to rely on a prospect’s game tape for an evaluation as to whether or not that prospect is worthy of being drafted.

Just because a prospect can run fast in a straight line does not mean that prospect has ‘football’ speed. Just because a prospect can catch a ball with no one covering him does not mean that prospect can duplicate that effort when being covered.  Just because a prospect can jump high does not mean that prospect will be able to do that against an NFL defender.

The Steelers will most likely be scouting every position at the combine.  Good teams do that.  My only hope is that we are open to drafting the best player available when our turn comes around.  What I do not want is for the Steelers to reach for a prospect solely based on combine results as I think that would foolish.

If we watch game tape and evaluate a prospect based on what we see on said game tape, the Steelers will draft well.  The reality is this:  The Steelers need to draft well to get back to the business of winning Super Bowls.